BKCHSFIN.RVW   961128
 
"Child Safety on the Internet", Vince Distefano, 1997, 0-13-569468-X,
U$34.95/C$48.93
%A   Vince Distefano
%C   One Lake St., Upper Saddle River, NJ   07458
%D   1997
%G   0-13-569468-X
%I   Prentice Hall
%O   U$34.95/C$48.93 +1-201-236-7139 fax: 201-236-7131 beth_hespe@prenhall.com
%P   296
%S   Classroom Connect
%T   "Child Safety on the Internet"
 
This volume contains a helpful and generally realistic set of resources.  It
talks primarily about the dangers, but does note that the risks are not as bad
as some of the hype.  The book does, for once, look at other "dangers" besides
pornography, and has a reasonable chapter on netiquette.  Online service
protection options, content rating systems, and protective/support groups are
discussed.  In addition, there are suggestions and advice for "after the fact"
detecting and policing.
 
There are some gaps in the book.  The fact that there are weaknesses,
inaccuracies and misleading statements in the (now infamous) Rimm study/Time
special is dismissed as "not important".  The subtle censorship of Internet
filter software is not discussed.  (One of the filter programs on the
accompanying CD-ROM blocks non-pornography or violence related terms which are
germane only to discussions of certain political leanings.  Filter developers
will not even confirm the dictionary of words used, with some slight
justification.)  Most filter packages do not allow parents to tune or manage
the terms to be included or excluded.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996   BKCHSFIN.RVW   961128
 
======================
roberts@decus.ca           rslade@vcn.bc.ca           rslade@vanisl.decus.ca
  "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
   nothing."  - Edmund Burke    http://www.netmind.com/~padgett/trial.htm